FAQ

Our next New City Arts Charlottesville SOUP dinner will be held on October 17, 2017.

Where does SOUP happen?

SOUP happens in different CAT-accessible, Charlottesville venues. Our Fall SOUP will take place at Meade Hall.

How much does it cost to attend?

A $10 ticket gets you soup, bread, salad, dessert, and a vote.

Do I need to buy a ticket?

Yes. SOUP tickets are in high demand, so we hold a ticket lottery for each SOUP to ensure that as many people as possible have a fair chance to attend. Folks enter the lottery and request up to two tickets. Participants are chosen at random. The ticket lottery is currently closed.

What is the dinner seating like?

Everyone will be sitting in chairs at tables. If you need special accommodations or have any concerns about accessibility, please don’t hesitate to email us in advance.

What is the schedule for the evening like?

We open the doors for drinks and mingling at 6:30PM. We invite everybody to take a seat and break bread shortly afterward. Then, it’s time for presentations! Attendees hear from up to 4 local artists seeking funding. Presentations are brief, about 5 minutes. Then presenters take questions from you, the attendees. Afterward, we continue the dialogue while enjoying the rest of the meal. One-by-one attendees cast their vote in a private voting booth (while everyone else is eating dessert). Then we tally the votes, announce the winner, and present the grant right then and there. Ta da! We also hear a little bit at the start of the meal from the previous winners about what they’ve accomplished with their SOUP grant money.

What can I expect to hear during the presentations?

You will hear a short presentation from each artist, perhaps even a performance of some kind! You might get handed a ‘zine or a photograph to look at, too. The floor is then opened for 3-4 questions from the audience. The presentations are simple (and will never ever involve PowerPoint – really) and hopefully fun.

How many proposals do you accept for the dinner each month?

We only have time for a maximum of four presentations per dinner. Much more than that make it hard to have a constructive dialogue about each proposal while eating and meeting our neighbors.

Do I need to be a “professional artist” or have an MFA or something like that in order to apply for a SOUP grant?

No way! Anyone can apply for a SOUP grant. You definitely do not need to be a “professional artist” or have attended art school or anything formal like that.

I have an creative project in the arts! How can I submit my idea for consideration for a SOUP grant?

For more information about the application process and to apply, visit our apply page.

What kind of projects are eligible?

SOUP invites Charlottesville artists making projects of all kinds and in all mediums to apply.

Applications for the Fall 2017 SOUP were due September 27, 2017 at 11:59PM.

SOUP sounds great! I want to volunteer. How can I help?

Hurray! We need volunteers for setting up for the dinner itself, to help make decorations and beautifully handcrafted promotional materials in advance, to help serve the meal, and more! We will put out a call for volunteers one month before the next meal.

Can I donate money to SOUP?

Yes, please! We are always accepting donations to help Charlottesville SOUP pay for the cost of food and decorations. SOUP is an official program of New City Arts Initiative, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to make a donation and please write “Charlottesville SOUP” in the memo if you would like your donation to benefit our program. And, thank you!